AP Lang SAT Prep Words

Abhor

regard with disgust and hatred.

Adulation

obsequious flattery; excessive admiration or praise.

Amicable

(of relations between people) having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement or rancor.

Assiduous

showing great care and perseverance.

Censure

express severe disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement.

Colloquial

(of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary.

Conciliatory

intended or likely to placate or pacify.

Contemptuous

showing contempt; scornful.

Contentious

causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial.

Cynical

believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity.

Demagogue

a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than by using rational argument.

Derisive

expressing contempt or ridicule.

Diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.

Digression

a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing.

Disdain

the feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt.

Effusive

expressing feelings of gratitude, pleasure, or approval in an unrestrained or heartfelt manner.

Elicit

evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one's own actions or questions.

Eloquent

fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.

Emulate

match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation.

Ephemeral

lasting for a very short time.

Facetious

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

Flippant

not showing a serious or respectful attitude.

Frugal

sparing or economical with regard to money or food.

Impute

represent (something, especially something undesirable) as being done, caused, or possessed by someone; attribute.

Inane

silly; stupid

Incisive

(of a person or mental process) intelligently analytical and clear-thinking.

Insolent

showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.

Intuitive

using or based on what one feels to be true even without conscious reasoning; instinctive.

Laudatory

(of speech or writing) expressing praise and commendation.

Lofty

of imposing height.

Ludicrous

so foolish, unreasonable, or out of place as to be amusing; ridiculous.

Nonchalant

(of a person or manner) feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm.

Pedantic

used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise especially in some narrow or boring subject matter.

Poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.

Provocative

causing annoyance, anger, or another strong reaction, especially deliberately.

Rancorous

characterized by bitterness or resentment.

Restrained

characterized by reserve or moderation; unemotional or dispassionate.

Risible

such as to provoke laughter.

Sardonic

grimly mocking or cynical.

Self-deprecating

modest about or critical of oneself, especially humorously so.

Specious

superficially plausible, but actually wrong.

Speculative

engaged in, expressing, or based on conjecture rather than knowledge.

Spurious

not being what it purports to be; false or fake.

Strident

loud and harsh; grating.

Substantiate

provide evidence to support or prove the truth of.

Superfluous

unnecessary, especially through being more than enough.

Terse

sparing in the use of words; abrupt.

Vindicate

clear (someone) of blame or suspicion.

Vitriolic

filled with bitter criticism or malice.

Wry 

using or expressing dry, especially mocking, humor

Expostulate

express strong __disapproval__ or __disagreement__.

Intercede

to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences 

Simulate

imitate the appearance or character of.

Aggrieved

feeling resentment at having been unfairly treated.

Docile

ready to accept control or instruction; submissive.

Jaded

tired, bored, or lacking enthusiasm, typically after having had too much of something.

Transcend

be or go beyond the range or limits of (something abstract, typically a conceptual field or division).

Meritorious

deserving reward or praise.

Ambivalent

having mixed feelings or __contradictory__ ideas about something or someone.

Patronizing

apparently kind or helpful but betraying a feeling of superiority; condescending.

Callow

(of a young person) inexperienced and immature.

Ameliorate

make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.

Surmise

suppose that something is true without having evidence to confirm it.

Apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

Pensive

engaged in, involving, or reflecting deep or serious thought.

Intrinsic

belonging naturally; essential.

Inveigh

speak or write about (something) with great hostility.

Exhort

strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.

Ardent

enthusiastic or passionate.

Pragmatic

dealing with things sensibly and realistically in a way that is based on practical rather than theoretical considerations.

Vicarious

experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person.

Cajole

persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery.

Corroborate

confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding).

Thwart

prevent (someone) from accomplishing something.

Nomenclature

the devising or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or other discipline.

Occult

supernatural, mystical, or magical beliefs, practices, or phenomena.

Extenuating

(of a factor or situation) serving to lessen the seriousness of an offense.

Torpid

mentally or physically inactive; lethargic.

Soporific

tending to induce drowsiness or sleep.

Mitigate

make less severe, serious, or painful.

Conducive

making a certain situation or outcome likely or possible.

Slovenly

(especially of a person or their appearance) messy and dirty.

Acrimonious

(typically of speech or a debate) angry and bitter.

Relegate

consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position.

Archetype

a very typical example of a certain person or thing.

Desist

cease; abstain.

Vapid

offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging.

Covert

not openly acknowledged or displayed.

Debonair

confident, stylish, and charming (typically used of a man).

Bedlam

a scene of uproar and confusion.

Accentuate

make more noticeable or prominent.

Monotonous

dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest.

Inadvertent

not resulting from or achieved through deliberate planning.

Amorphous

without a clearly defined shape or form.

Austere

stern and cold in appearance or manner

Equivocate

use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.

Pernicious

having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.

Disseminate 

spread (something, especially information) widely.

Scintillating

sparkling or shining brightly.

Blatant

(of bad behavior) done openly and unashamedly.